Africa-Press – Namibia. THE Rundu Town Council has announced the suspension of municipal services to all residents of the town and surrounds who are not in good standing with the council.
This follows the town’s ongoing water crisis, which at times leaves residents without water for three to four days. Residents, government institutions and businesses owe the council N$300 million, while the council owes NamWater a total amount of N$124 million.
“We will start with the industrial area and businesses, and then we will get to the settlements. They should not see us as monsters, but if we work together we will have a happy ending,” Ovali Nathanael, Rundu’s chief executive officer, says.
The town council will join forces with the Namibian Police to insure that people comply, and to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings. “We included the police, because we have realised people have many ways of getting water, and if we find out there are illegal connections, the police will come in and witness the case,” Nathanael says.
He says the council is, however, willing to negotiate payment arrangements, depending on how much residents owe. The town has been without water since Sunday.
“We are on prepaid with NamWater. Once the credit finishes, the water stops running,” Benjamin Makayi, spokesperson for the council, says. Residents have been urged to pay their outstanding accounts as soon as possible to avoid any inconvenience. The operation started yesterday.
